RoadVitals

2003 Buick Rendezvous Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
84
Latest Feb 15, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
30%
of 281 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Buick Rendezvous submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 84 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

The 25 most recent of 84, in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Feb 15, 2022

After filling the fuel tank there is a strong gas odor that is present until the tank is almost empty. When walking around the vehicle or loading/unloading the vehicle, the strong gas odor is always present. This vehicle was at a dealership and they took it to the local personal auction company where i bid on it and bought it along with household items.

NHTSA ID
11452035
Incident
Jan 18, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Sep 30, 2021

I purchased this vehicle in 2013, and a few years later, I began smelling gas. After doing my due diligence, I found out that there is a recall for this issue, because the check inlet valve at the top of the tank where the filler neck connects to the tank is cracked. Great, NO, only CERTAIN Rendezvous were covered, and even though mine has the exact same issue, they refuse to cover it and replace the tank. Well, apparently, there were SO MANY complaints by other Rendezvous owners that were also not "included" in the recall, the recall was expanded to ALL Rendezvous', BUT with the stipulation that it had to have less than 150,000 miles on it, which by THAT TIME, my car WAS over that mileage. So now I'm still driving with gas leaking out of my car, A KNOWN AND ADMITTEDLY UNSAFE DEFECT, because just to purchase that gas tank is over $1,000, not including the labor to drop the tank and replace it, approximately 3-4 hours labor. My disability check cannot afford that, so I have been FORCED to continue driving an unsafe car because they are refusing to repair THEIR DEFECT. And I'm not the only one. I've seen NUMEROUS videos of mechanic's shops BEGGING GM to cover this. And I take my grandchildren to school in this car. At least if the car does blow up one day because they wont' fix THEIR OWN SAFETY issue, I'll have ONE more record of trying to get it fixed and the request being ignored. I'm putting all this information in a file that will go to my daughter and attorney, as well as anyone else's attorney that is injured or killed because of not being repaired. All I was is to drive a car with gas not leaking out of my tank as I drive. I cover ALL the other repairs that it needs. I don't think this is too much to ask, especially since it won't cost the dealership anywhere near $1500 to fix, and any price would be far less than it will cost GM in a wrongful death suit.

NHTSA ID
11434946
Incident
May 12, 2015
Fuel system
Filed May 6, 2021

HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT FUEL IS LEAKING WHERE THE FUEL FILLER NECK CONNECTS TO THE PLASTIC GAS TANK AT THE CHECK INLET VALVE. I'VE SEEN MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE FROM OTHER RENDEZVOUS OWNERS, AS WELL AS THE SAME PROBLEM OF GM AND/OR BUICK REFUSING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, (POSSIBLE FUEL IGNITION OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE USUALLY IS). I LIVE OFF A VERY MODEST DISABILITY CHECK AND A NEW TANK IS OVER $1,000, NOT INCLUDING ANOTHER 4-5 HOURS OF LABOR. THAT'S MORE THAN I GET IN A MONTH. GM NEEDS TO STEP UP AND HONOR THE RECALL AND FIX THESE VEHICLES. IT'S COMPLETE BS THAT THEY ARE LIMITING IT TO VEHICLES WITH LESS THAN 150,000 MILES ON THEM. AND MY VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN THAT THE FIRST TIME I CONTACTED GM ABOUT THIS, BUT THAT WAS BEFORE THEY SO GRACIOUSLY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO ALL RENDEZVOUS' WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT ADDING THE MILEAGE RESTRICTION EFFECTIVELY ELIMINATING ANY OTHER VEHICLES ACTUALLY QUALIFYING TO BE REPAIRED. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2013, AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN LEGALLY REGISTERED, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATIONS FROM GM ABOUT THIS RECALL. THAT, AND THE REFUSAL TO REPAIR A RECALL SAFETY ISSUE, IS, OR SHOULD BE CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT.I REALLY FEEL LIKE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS WHAT WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN. MAYBE SINCE I HAVE SO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS, THAT IS SOMETHING I SHOULD LOOK INTO.

NHTSA ID
11415455
Incident
Feb 7, 2017
Mileage
135,724 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 11, 2020

OUR RENDEVOUZ PLASTIC FUEL TANK STARTED SEEPING FUEL AT THE FILLER NECK YESTERDAY. AFTER DOING SOME READING, I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEN A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT. THE ONE LISTED ON JULY 21, 2008 SAID THE TANK WOULD BE REPLACED REGARDLESS OF AGE AND MILEAGE. THEN, GM CHANGED THEIR MIND ON AUGUST 8, 2008 AND LIMITED MILEAGE AND AGE TO 150,000 MILES AND 10 YEARS. I AM VERY DISTURBED ABOUT THIS AND THINK THAT THIS TANK NEEDS REPLACED FOR SAFETY REASONS AT MINIMUM. THE FUEL TANK IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM ANY AFTERMARKET SOURCE AND PURCHASING IT FROM GM IS $1590. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT PURCHASING A USED TANK WOULD BE SAFE DUE TO THE ISSUE GM HAS MENTIONED.

NHTSA ID
11374105
Incident
Nov 10, 2020
Mileage
123,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 23, 2020

GAS TANK LEAKS SOMETIMES... WHEN IN MOTION AND WHEN STATIONARY

NHTSA ID
11341092
Incident
Jun 30, 2020
Mileage
182,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 27, 2020

FUEL DRIPPING FROM TANK DUE TO CRACK AROUND INLET

NHTSA ID
11322357
Incident
Mar 25, 2020
Mileage
126,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 14, 2020

STRONG SMELL OF GAS OUTSIDE THE RENDEZOUS AT FIRST AFTER FILLING CAR WHICH SEEM TO OCCUR ONLY WHEN NEWLY FILLED. NOW THE STRONG SMELL OUTSIDE OF CAR IS CONTINUOUS AND FUEL IS LEAKING. THIS IS A SUBJECT OF RECALL BUT DATE OF RECALL IS TOO OLD FOR GM TO HONOR THE RECALL. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE FUEL TANK HAS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
11299258
Incident
Oct 6, 2019
Mileage
136,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Sep 18, 2018

TAKATA RECALL TRACTION CONTROL, ABS I HAVE REPLACED BOTH FRONT HUBS BARINGS WITH ABS SENSORS TWICE IN 1 YEAR. STILL THE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON WHEN IAM ABOUT TO STOP OR TURN

NHTSA ID
11130044
Incident
Sep 11, 2012
Mileage
75,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 27, 2018

VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE GAS TANK SEAM. THE AMOUNT OF FUEL BEING LOST IS SIGNIFICANT.

NHTSA ID
11075335
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
225,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 20, 2017

CAR SHUTS DOWN. FUEL GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY. LOSES POWER IN THE STEERING. HAVE TO PUMP GAS INTO THE TANK SLOW. TAKES FOREVER.

NHTSA ID
11035144
Incident
Oct 19, 2017
Mileage
135,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 8, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE PREMATURELY DISCONNECTED FROM THE FUEL TANK WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,529. *JS

NHTSA ID
10959572
Incident
Feb 8, 2017
Mileage
126,529 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Oct 26, 2016

I AM HAVING TROUBLE OUT OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACE SEVERAL PARTS AND STILL HAVE NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. FOR INSTANCE, WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR AND CUT IT OFF I HAVE TO WAIT 30-45 MINS. BEFORE IT WILL START AGAIN. I HAVE CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES AND OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR AND I HAVE NOT YET FOUND A SOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK FOR A YEAR AND EIGHT MONTHS. THE VEHICLE IS MOTION BUT IT CUTS OFF AND I HAVE TO WAIT 30-45 MINS. BEFORE MY TRUCK CAN RESTART. IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME MONTHS AND I HAVE CHANGED MANY PARTS AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10919229
Incident
May 1, 2016
Fuel system
Filed Oct 18, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AT THE RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE HAD A STRONG ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK AROUND THE INLET VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ID
10916806
Incident
Oct 1, 2016
Mileage
41,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 8, 2016

AS I PULLED UP TO MY HOME AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE; I SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. I NOTICED DRIPPIN UNDER MY VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THIS WEEKEND. GASOLINE LEAKING THROUGH THE NECK OF THE TANK.

NHTSA ID
10894220
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Fuel system
Filed May 16, 2016

THE SUV WAS PARKED. THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE: THE AREA WHERE THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE CONNECT IS SEEPING FUEL. AT FIRST I COULD SMELL THE GASOLINE FUMES AND IT CONTINUED THAT I HAD TO LOOK UNDER THE SUV. I SAW INDICATIONS OF GASOLINE DRIPPING FROM THE FUEL TANK. I LOOKED FOR INTERNET INFORMATION. I FOUND OTHER OWNERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I SEARCHED FOR RECALLS USING THE MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. I DID FIND INFORMATION THAT INDICATED THAT I AND OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL IS THE NAME OF THE SITUATION. I HAVE PRINTED OUT THE INFORMATION. IF IT LOOKS LIKE A RECALL THEN I SHOULD GO AFTER THIS AS A RECALL ISSUE. I WILL MOST LIKELY GET PUSHED BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURE. I WILL MAKE CALLS TO BUICK AND NHTSA TO GET SOME HELP.

NHTSA ID
10865295
Incident
May 2, 2016
Mileage
103,121 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A CRACK ON THE FUEL TANK CAUSED THE FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ID
10861599
Incident
Apr 24, 2016
Mileage
95,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 23, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA ID
10806245
Incident
Nov 8, 2015
Mileage
171,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 10, 2015

NOTICED A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE. INSPECTION SHOWED A SMALL STAIN ON THE GARAGE FLOOR AND A SLOW DRIP. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED A LEAK IN THE VICINITY OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE GAS FILLER HOSE AND THE GAS TANK. THE DRIP WILL CEASE WHEN THE TANK IS BELOW HALF FULL

NHTSA ID
10789586
Incident
Jul 15, 2015
Mileage
80,100 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 11, 2015

FUEL VAPORS INSIDE CAR AND FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE GROUND.

NHTSA ID
10763060
Incident
Jul 27, 2015
Mileage
17,700 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE STRONG FUMES OF FUEL EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TUBE CONNECTED TO THE FILLER FRACTURED AND HAD A PROGRESSING LEAK ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FILLER TUBE AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10760768
Incident
Aug 3, 2015
Fuel system
Filed Aug 29, 2015

GAS STARTED LEAKING AND HAS NOT STOPPED... BUICK SAYS THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY VIN ALTHOUGH THE EXACT YEAR MAKE AND MODEL HAS A RECALL AND IT IS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
10760130
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 7, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FUEL TANK LEAKED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LEAK WAS NEAR THE FILLER SPOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10747127
Incident
Jul 1, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 18, 2015

THERE IS AN OPEN SAFETY RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL #06230A DUE TO CRACK/LEAK THAT DEVELOPS IN THE FUEL TANK. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN APRIL 2015 AND IN JUNE IT DEVELOPED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL VAPORS. MY MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS A CRACK/LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. I CALLED BUICK FOR ASSISTANCE TO REPLACE THE TANK AND THEY OPENED CASE #71-1490527942. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR VERIFICATION OF THE CRACK. THAT WAS COMPLETED ON 7/16/15. NOW BUICK IS REFUSING TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TANK. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 79,688 MILES. THE SPECIAL COVERAGE WAS EXTENDED FOR 150,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE SPECIAL COVERAGE EXPIRED IN 2013 AND THAT THE RECALL DOESN'T COVER MY VIN, ALTHOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER HOW MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE ARE IN THE SAME HAZARDOUS SITUATION? BUICK ADMITS IT MAY BE A LIFE-THREATENING HAZARD AND ADVISES THAT THE TANK SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY, BUT THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. ONCE AGAIN, GM EXHIBITS DEPRAVED INDIFFERENCE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS' LIVES. I WOULD APPRECIATE A FOLLOW UP FROM NHTSA.

NHTSA ID
10734930
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Mileage
78,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE APPROACHING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.

NHTSA ID
10731168
Incident
Jun 29, 2015
Mileage
74,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 22, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10721038
Incident
May 14, 2015

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

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